U.S. patent application number 11/479064 was filed with the patent office on 2008-01-03 for proximity based call management.
This patent application is currently assigned to SBC Knowledge Ventures L.P.. Invention is credited to Jae-Sun Chin, Michael T. Delaney, Larry B. Pearson.
Application Number | 20080004002 11/479064 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38877332 |
Filed Date | 2008-01-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080004002 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chin; Jae-Sun ; et
al. |
January 3, 2008 |
Proximity based call management
Abstract
A method is disclosed for proximity-based call management that
includes sensing a proximity event between a first device
associated with a first network and a second device associated with
a second network, sending a first communication address for the
first device from the first device to the second device over a
wireless communication path between the first device and the second
device, and signaling the second network from the second device to
establish a conference call between the first device and the second
device. A proximity based call management apparatus is disclosed
including a processor coupled to a memory, a proximity sensor in
data communication with the processor, a network interface in data
communication with the processor, and a computer program stored in
the memory for execution by the processor, the computer program
comprising instructions proximity-based call management.
Inventors: |
Chin; Jae-Sun; (Helotes,
TX) ; Pearson; Larry B.; (San Antonio, TX) ;
Delaney; Michael T.; (San Antonio, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
G. Michael Roebuck, PC
FROST BANK BUILDING, 6750 WEST LOOP SOUTH, SUITE 920
BELLAIRE
TX
77401
US
|
Assignee: |
SBC Knowledge Ventures L.P.
Reno
NV
|
Family ID: |
38877332 |
Appl. No.: |
11/479064 |
Filed: |
June 30, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
455/425 ;
455/435.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 4/16 20130101; H04W
76/10 20180201; H04W 4/14 20130101; H04W 4/02 20130101; H04W 64/00
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/425 ;
455/435.1 |
International
Class: |
H04Q 7/20 20060101
H04Q007/20 |
Claims
1. A method for proximity-based call management, comprising:
sensing a proximity event between a first device associated with a
first network and a second device associated with a second network;
sending a first communication address for the first device from the
first device to the second device over a wireless communication
path between the first device and the second device; and signaling
the second network from the second device to establish a conference
call between the first device and an ongoing call on the second
device.
2. The method of the claim 1, wherein the communication address is
sent using a short messaging service message.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first network and the second
network are the same network.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: sensing a loss of
proximity between the first device and the second device; and
signaling the first network from the first device to establish a
conference call between the first device and the second device.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first device is a wireline
base station telephone and the second device is a mobile
telephone.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: sensing a proximity
event between the first device and a third device; sending the
communication address for the first device from the first device to
the third device over a wireless communication path between the
first device and the third device; and signaling a third network to
establish a conference call between the first device and the third
device.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein sensing a proximity event further
comprises: accepting a signal from a device selected from the group
consisting of the second device and the first device to establish a
conference call between the first device and the second device.
8. A proximity based call management apparatus, comprising: a
processor coupled to a memory; a proximity sensor in data
communication with the processor; a network interface in data
communication with the processor; and a computer program stored in
the memory for execution by the processor, the computer program
comprising: instructions to sense a proximity event between a first
device associated with a first network and a second device
associated with a second network, instructions to send a first
communication address for the first device from the first device to
the second device over a wireless communication path between the
first device and the second device, and instructions to signal the
first network from the first device to establish a conference call
between the first device and an ongoing call on the second
device.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first network and the
second network are the same network.
10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the communication address is
sent using a short messaging service message.
11. The apparatus of claim 8, the computer program further
comprising instructions to sense a loss of proximity between the
first device and the second device and signal the first network
from the first device to establish a conference call between the
first device and the second device.
12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first device is a
wireline base station telephone and the second device is a mobile
telephone.
13. The apparatus of claim 8, the computer program further
comprising instructions to sense a proximity event between the
first device and a third device, instructions to send the
communication address for the first device from the first device to
the third device over a wireless communication path between the
first device and the third device, and instructions to signal a
third network to establish a conference call between the first
device and the third device.
14. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein sensing a proximity event
further comprises: accepting a signal from a device selected from
the group consisting of the second device and the first device to
establish a conference call between the first device and the second
device.
15. A computer readable medium containing a computer program for
execution by a processor, the computer program comprising:
instructions to sense a proximity event between a first device
associated with a first network and a second device associated with
a second network; instructions to send a first communication
address for the first device from the first device to the second
device over a wireless communication path between the first device
and the second device; and instructions to signal the second
network from the second device to establish a conference call
management between the first device and an ongoing call on the
second device address.
16. The medium of claim 15, wherein the first network and the
second network are the same network.
17. The medium of claim 15, wherein the communication address is
sent using a short messaging service message.
18. The medium of claim 15, the computer program further
comprising: instructions to sense a loss of proximity between the
first device and the second device and instructions to signal the
first network from the first device to establish a conference call
between the first device and the second device.
19. The medium of claim 15, wherein the first device is a wireline
base station telephone and the second device is a mobile
telephone.
20. The medium of claim 15, the computer program further
comprising: instructions to sense a proximity event between the
first device and a third device, instructions to send the
communication address for the first device from the first device to
the third device over a wireless communication path between the
first device and the third device, and instructions to signal a
third network to establish a conference call between the first
device and the third device.
21. The medium of claim 15, the computer program further
comprising: instructions to accept a signal from a device selected
from the group consisting of the second device and the first device
to establish a conference call between the first device and the
second device.
22. A data structure in memory comprising: a base station
identifier field for containing data indicative of a base station
identifier; a base station communication address field for
containing data indicative of a base station communication address;
a mobile device identifier field for containing data indicative of
a mobile device identifier; a mobile device communication address
for containing data indicative of a mobile device communication
address; and a proximity field for indicating a proximity state
between the base station and the mobile device.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0001] 1. Field of the Disclosure
[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to proximity based
call management of calls between wireless mobile telephones and
fixed wire line telephones.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Mobile telecommunications have become an accepted part of
every day life. In an increasingly mobile society, mobile
telephones and telecommunications devices have become commonplace.
Cell phones and other mobile telecommunications devices offer the
ability to be in contact or reachable at all times and places.
However, users of mobile phones typically have more than one phone
number at which they can be reached (e.g., mobile, home, office,
etc.). For example, cellular telephone users may also have a
landline phone number for their home or office. Receiving a call on
a mobile phone can be more expensive or less convenient than
receiving a phone call on the user's landline phone. Mobile phones
also may be susceptible to a relative quality of service
degradation as compared to a landline telephone.
[0005] There are times when a mobile phone user had rather receive
calls on a landline rather than a mobile phone. Thus, when a mobile
phone user is at home or at the office, a mobile phone user may
wish to take calls on the home or office landline phone rather than
a mobile phone.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[0006] FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a call
management system for a mobile phone outside of a proximity
zone;
[0007] FIG. 2 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a call
management system for a mobile phone inside of a proximity
zone;
[0008] FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a call
management system for a mobile phone moving out of a proximity
zone;
[0009] FIG. 4 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a call
management system for a mobile phone moving into a proximity
zone;
[0010] FIGS. 5-8 illustrate an illustrative embodiment of functions
performed based occurrence of a proximity event;
[0011] FIG. 9 illustrates an illustrative embodiment of a
multiplicity of mobile devices associated with a multiplicity of
base stations;
[0012] FIG. 10 illustrates an illustrative embodiment of a data
structure used in a call management system;
[0013] FIGS. 11-13 illustrate flow charts of proximity based
functions performed in a particular illustrative embodiment;
and
[0014] FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the
form of a computer system within which a set of instructions, when
executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of the
methodologies of the illustrative embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] In view of the above, an illustrative embodiment is
presented through one or more of its various aspects to provide one
or more advantages, such as those noted below.
[0016] In a particular embodiment a method for proximity-based call
management is disclosed. The method includes sensing a proximity
event between a first device associated with a first network and a
second device associated with a second network, sending a first
communication address for the first device from the first device to
the second device over a wireless communication path between the
first device and the second device, and signaling the second
network from the second device to establish a conference call
between the first device and an ongoing call on the second device.
In another aspect of a particular embodiment the first network and
the second network are the same network. In another aspect of a
particular embodiment wherein the communication address is sent
using a short messaging service message. In another aspect of a
particular embodiment the method further includes sensing a loss of
proximity between the first device and the second device and
signaling the first network from the first device to establish a
conference call between the first device and the second device.
[0017] In another aspect of a particular embodiment the first
device is a wireline base station telephone and the second device
is a mobile telephone.
[0018] In another aspect of a particular embodiment the method
further includes sensing a proximity event between the first device
and a third device, sending the communication address for the first
device from the first device to the third device over a wireless
communication path between the first device and the third device,
and signaling a third network to establish a conference call
between the first device and the third device. In another aspect of
a particular embodiment sensing a proximity event further includes
accepting a signal from a device selected from the group consisting
of the second device and the first device to establish a conference
call between the first device and the second device.
[0019] In another particular embodiment a proximity based call
management apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a
processor coupled to a memory, a proximity sensor in data
communication with the processor, a network interface in data
communication with the processor, and a computer program stored in
the memory for execution by the processor. The computer program
includes instructions to sense a proximity event between a first
device associated with a first network and a second device
associated with a second network, instructions to send a first
communication address for the first device from the first device to
the second device over a wireless communication path between the
first device and the second device, and instructions to signal the
second network from the second device to establish a conference
call between the first device and an ongoing call on the second
device.
[0020] In another aspect of a particular embodiment the first
network and the second network are the same network. In another
aspect of a particular embodiment wherein the communication address
is sent using a short messaging service message. In another aspect
of a particular embodiment the computer program further includes
instructions to sense a loss of proximity between the first device
and the second device and signal the first network from the first
device to establish a conference call between the first device and
the second device.
[0021] In another aspect of a particular embodiment the first
device is a wireline base station telephone and the second device
is a mobile telephone. In another aspect of a particular embodiment
the computer program further includes instructions to sense a
proximity event between the first device and a third device,
instructions to send the communication address for the first device
from the first device to the third device over a wireless
communication path between the first device and the third device,
and instructions to signal a third network to establish a
conference call between the first device and the third device. In
another aspect of a particular embodiment sensing a proximity event
further includes accepting a signal from a device selected from the
group consisting of the second device and the first device to
establish a conference call between the first device and the second
device.
[0022] In another particular embodiment a computer readable medium
containing a computer program for execution by a processor is
disclosed. The computer program includes instructions to sense a
proximity event between a first device associated with a first
network and a second device associated with a second network,
instructions to send a first communication address for the first
device from the first device to the second device over a wireless
communication path between the first device and the second device,
and instructions to signal the second network from the second
device to establish a conference call between the first device and
an ongoing call on the second device.
[0023] In another aspect of a particular embodiment the first
network and the second network are the same network. In another
aspect of a particular embodiment the communication address is sent
using a short messaging service message. In another aspect of a
particular embodiment the computer program further includes
instructions to sense a loss of proximity between the first device
and the second device and instructions to signal the first network
from the first device to establish a conference call between the
first device and the second device.
[0024] In another aspect of a particular embodiment wherein the
first device is a wireline base station telephone and the second
device is a mobile telephone. In another aspect of a particular
embodiment the computer program further includes instructions to
sense a proximity event between the first device and a third
device, instructions to send the communication address for the
first device from the first device to the third device over a
wireless communication path between the first device and the third
device, and instructions to signal a third network to establish a
conference call between the first device and the third device. In
another aspect of a particular embodiment the computer program
further includes instructions to accept a signal from a device
selected from the group consisting of the second device and the
first device to establish a conference call between the first
device and the second device.
[0025] In another particular embodiment a data structure in memory
is disclosed. The data structure includes a base station identifier
field for containing data indicative of a base station identifier,
a base station communication address field for containing data
indicative of a base station communication address, a mobile device
identifier field for containing data indicative of a mobile device
identifier, a mobile device communication address for containing
data indicative of a mobile device communication address, and a
proximity field for indicating a proximity state between the base
station and the mobile device.
[0026] An illustrative embodiment uses wireless proximity
detection, for example, Bluetooth technology to sense the presence
of a remote device within a proximity zone around a base station
and to signal between the base station and the remote device
wirelessly. By using Bluetooth to associate the mobile phone with a
base station, it eliminates the need for a custom physical
connection cradle for each phone model and shape. When the mobile
phone is in proximity of the base station, the mobile phone
contacts its mobile phone network to set up call forwarding to the
base station landline phone number. In a particular illustrative
embodiment telephone numbers for mobile devices and base stations
are either stored in memory accessible to the mobile phone and base
station or communicated wirelessly between the mobile phone and
base station during the device discovery and proximity sensing
process.
[0027] In an illustrative embodiment the user can transfer an
ongoing call between a third party caller and the mobile phone to
the landline phone whenever the devices are close enough together
to be associated with each other or when requested by a mobile
phone user by pressing a conference call keypad sequence on the
mobile telephone keypad or the base station telephone keypad.
[0028] In an illustrative embodiment, a mobile phone and a CPE
device or base station can detect each other through proximity
detection, such as, the Bluetooth protocol. In one embodiment, the
mobile phone 110 will set up call forwarding to forward all calls
to the base station 112 when the mobile phone 110 is in proximity
of the base station 112. The base station 112 forwards all calls to
the mobile phone 110 if the base station does not detect the
presence of the mobile phone. This provides the user with seamless
mobility to automatically move between a home or office phone and a
mobile phone. The user will have two or more telephone numbers
(office phone number, home phone number and mobile phone number);
however a caller trying to reach the user does not have to try all
the numbers. All phone numbers will allow the caller to reach the
called party. For example, if a caller calls a user's work phone
number and the user is at home, the work base station is forwarded
to the mobile phone which is forwarded to the home base station.
Thus the caller reaches the user at home by calling the office.
[0029] The base station 112 may be incorporated into the landline
home phone itself. The landline base station phone could be a
standard time division multiplex (TDM) phone or it can be an
internet protocol (IP) phone. The two functionalities can be
integrated into one device.
[0030] Instead of having a one to one relationship between the
mobile phone and the base station as described above, in another
illustrative embodiment a multi-user relationship allows for a
many-to-many or many-to-one relationship. Profiles are provided on
mobile and base station phones to accommodate the multiple
relationships. This allows multiple mobile phones to associate with
one or more single base station phones. If there are four mobile
phones in the household, and all phones are associated with the
base station, then all calls to any of the mobile phones will be
forwarded to the base station landline phone.
[0031] A single mobile phone can also be sequentially associated
with more than one base station. When the user is at home, the
user's mobile phone would be forwarded to their home base station
landline phone. If the user is in the office, their mobile phone
can be forwarded to their office base station phone.
[0032] Users may have address books on their mobile phone, home
phone and office phone. Using the technology described above users
could maintain one address book on their mobile phone. When a user
associates their mobile phone with their home base station phone,
their address book will be transferred to the home base station
phone memory. This same process would occur when the user
associates their phone with their office base station phone as
described above.
[0033] Some prior systems required physically docking a mobile
phone into a cradle. This cradle worked with only a select number
of mobile phones which were designed to physically mate with the
docking station. When docking the phone over and over again, the
docking station may develop physical deterioration problems from
repeated use. Wireless proximity detection and association
technologies, such as, Bluetooth, eliminate the need for physical
mating connections between a mobile phone and a base station and
thus allow for more physically diverse phones to work with the base
station. Bluetooth also allows for the mobile phone to communicate
with the base station without a physical connection, therefore
increasing the life expectancy of the device and decreasing the
number of base station failures. Wireless proximity detection
technology also allows a many to one relationship between the base
station and multiple diverse mobile phones.
[0034] Dual mode mobile phones (e.g., cellular and internet
protocol) are still expensive compared to proximity detection or
Bluetooth enabled mobile phone. The present disclosure describes
how to provide seamless mobility without the need for dual mode
mobile phones. In an illustrative embodiment, two single mode
phones connected to different networks can be used to provide
seamless mobility by sensing proximity to each other, exchanging
phone numbers and signaling their respective networks to provide
call forwarding and conference calling between the two phones. This
will reduce the cost and complexity of seamless mobility since
phones with proximity detectors, such as, Bluetooth mobile phones
already exist today and cost less than dual mode mobile phones.
This proximity detection technology provides the user with a single
number reach capability as described above.
[0035] In another illustrative embodiment, a mobile phone can
synchronize or merge or exchange address books with the base
station desk phone through Bluetooth. This solves the problem of
having different phone numbers stored in the home, office and
mobile phone.
[0036] In another illustrative embodiment, radio technology such as
Bluetooth technology is used to signal the base station wirelessly
from the mobile phone. This particular embodiment covers the use of
any radio technology so that the mobile phone and wired phone can
detect each other (i.e. Bluetooth, WiFi, RFid, Wideband, etc.).
Using Bluetooth to connect the mobile phone to the base station
eliminates the need for a custom physical cradle for each different
manufacturer's phone. Any standard Bluetooth enabled phone can use
the base unit. When the mobile phone is in proximity to the base
unit, the calls will be forwarded to the landline versus having to
physically dock the phone in the cradle. There will be considerable
less wear and tear on the base station since there is no docking
and undocking and will allow for more mobile phones to be supported
by the illustrative base station. When mobile phones and base
stations do not exchange phone numbers, these phone numbers can be
entered by the user from telephone keypad or the telephone network
service provider and stored by the user in memory accessible as
needed to the mobile phone and base station.
[0037] In some prior systems the product works by docking the phone
into the cradle. If a user were on a call, the user would have to
complete the call before docking the phone. In a particular
embodiment of the wireless base station, the user can transfer a
call in progress between the landline phone and mobile phone when
the devices are associated with each other or when desired by
pushing a conference call button or keypad sequence (e.g., "##") on
the mobile telephone or base station telephone keypad.
[0038] In another particular embodiment, users have address books
on their mobile phone, base station home phone and base station
office phone. Using the technology described above; users could
maintain one merged address book on their mobile phone containing
the mobile, home and office address book contents. When they
associate their mobile phone with their home phone, their address
book will be available to them on their home phone. This same
process would occur when the user associates their phone with their
office phone as described above. The address book from the mobile
phone is transferred to memory in the wireline phone via a wireless
connection such as Bluetooth.
[0039] The illustrative embodiment allows users to give out either
their mobile phone number, home phone number or office number and
the system will find them. If the user is mobile and someone calls
their house, the user can have the system forward the calls to
their mobile phone. The home phone will not see a Bluetooth
association with the mobile phone, so the home phone will forward
the calls to the user's wireless number.
[0040] If someone calls the user's home number and the user is at
the office, the home phone will forward the call to the user's
wireless number. Since the user is in the office and their mobile
phone has associated with the office phone, the mobile phone would
forward that incoming call to their office phone. Thus an
illustrative embodiment also allows mobile users to enjoy single
number reach and at the same time save their wireless minutes since
those calls will be redirected to a landline phone. Single number
reach refers to the technology provided wherein a called party can
be reached by any of the called parties associated phone numbers
(home, office or wireless) by the calling party.
[0041] Turning now to FIG. 1, FIG. 1 illustrates a scenario in
which a proximity event occurs as a mobile phone 110 is sensed to
be outside of proximity zone 101 and all calls to the base station
112 are forwarded to mobile phone 110. FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary
system 100 for call management. The system depicts a customer
premise equipment system (base station) 112 that provides automated
proximity-based call management. When a user is at home or at the
office and within a CPE proximity zone 101, users may prefer to
receive at the user's landline telephone 112 rather than utilize a
mobile phone 110. However, when away from proximity of the landline
telephone, the user may prefer to receive calls using their mobile
phone 110. Generally, when a user is proximate (within a proximity
zone, for example, 10-30 meters from the base station) to a fixed
base station, such as at a home or office, calls or data are routed
to a phone number for the home or office base station 112 and when
the user is not proximate to a base station, calls or data are
routed to a mobile phone number.
[0042] In one particular embodiment, a base station 112 associated
with the landline base station location senses the presence of the
user by detecting the presence of a mobile device 110 associated
with the user. When the user is proximate to the landline base
station location (within the proximity zone 101), calls and data
addressed to the landline telephone number or communication address
are received on the base station landline telephone. However, when
the user is not proximate to the landline base station location,
calls and data addressed to the base station landline phone number
are forwarded or redirected to an alternate telephone number or
communication address, such as a telephone number for a mobile
device 110. For example, the base station telephone or mobile
telephone 110 includes a device that sends flash-hook forward
commands to forward an incoming call or #-commands to manipulate
call redirection parameters at the service control point (SCP) or
service switch point (SSP) in the PSTN 107 in the case of the base
station.
[0043] In FIG. 1, the base station and mobile phone include a
proximity sensor 115, a call management processor (CMP) 111 and
memory 113. The proximity sensor 115 is coupled to or communicates
with the CMP. The proximity sensor 115 in base station 112 senses
whether a mobile device 110 is proximate to the base station 112.
The proximity sensor 115 communicates this result to the CMP. The
CMP uses this information and other information (e.g., phone
numbers) to determine whether to activate or deactivate call
forwarding or conference calling between the mobile phone and base
station phone. For example the CMP may communicate through a
network such as a PSTN 107 to a SSP 114 or database 109 for the
base station telephone that controls call forwarding in the SCP in
an advanced intelligent network (AIN). In a particular illustrative
embodiment, the proximity sensor also receives the telephone number
and device identifier of the discovered device and provides them to
the processor with which the proximity sensor is associated.
[0044] In one exemplary embodiment, the proximity sensor 115 and
CMP 111 are built into a landline communications device 112, such
as a landline telephone system or answering machine. In alternate
embodiments, the proximity sensor and CMP 104 may be built into a
cell phone charger or stand-alone device. In each of these
exemplary embodiments, the CMP 104 is connected to a network 107,
such as a public switch telephone network (PSTN). The CMP 104 may
activate or deactivate call forwarding using a flash command or
pound sign command, for example, as permitted by the functionality
of the network and associated server systems SSP 114 and SCP. An
exemplary server system is a service control point (SCP) 117 in an
advanced intelligent network (AIN) as commonly used in telephony
infrastructure.
[0045] In these exemplary embodiments, when the mobile device 110
is proximate to the base station proximity sensor 115, the base
station 112 CMP 111 may signal through the network 107 to activate
or deactivate call forwarding and receive calls at the landline
base station phone 112. Alternately, when the mobile device 110 is
not proximate to the base station proximity sensor 111, the CMP 111
may activate call forwarding on an associated landline to an
alternate number such as the mobile telephone number.
[0046] The mobile device 110 may be a cellular telephone, mobile
phone or other mobile telecommunications device. Alternately, the
mobile device 110 may be a keychain fob, smart card, or other
device that would indicate the presence of an individual.
[0047] The base station proximity sensor 115 senses the presence of
the mobile device 110, by use of radio frequency transmissions,
infrared or other light based transmissions, or ultrasonic
transmissions. For example, the proximity sensor may utilize short
range networking standards such as Bluetooth, RTM, or 802.11. In
alternate illustrative embodiments, the proximity sensor 115 may
communicate with the mobile device 110 using short message service
messages. The proximity sensor 115 may alternately listen to
control channels of mobile telecommunications systems. In another
illustrative alternate embodiment, the proximity sensor may detect
a radio frequency beacon. In other illustrative embodiments, the
proximity sensor may use a contact sensor, infrared detection
system, or sonic detection system.
[0048] In another illustrative embodiment the base station
proximity sensor 115 detects a mobile device 110 and sends a base
station telephone number for the base station to the mobile device
via wireless messaging (e.g., SMS). Similarly the mobile device 110
proximity sensor 115 discovers or detects the base station 112 and
sends a telephone number associated with the mobile device 110 to
the base station 112. Using this information from the wireless
message the base station can conditionally signal the network 107
to forward or conference calls to the phone number associated with
the mobile device. Likewise the mobile device can use the
information from the wireless message to forward or conference
calls to the phone number associated with the base station.
[0049] Turning now to FIG. 2, FIG. 2 illustrates a scenario in
which the mobile phone is inside the proximity zone and all calls
to the mobile phone are forwarded to the base station phone.
Turning now to FIG. 3, FIG. 3 illustrates a scenario in which an
ongoing call to the mobile phone is transferred to the base station
phone when the mobile phone moves to enter the base station
proximity zone. Turning now to FIG. 4, FIG. 4 illustrates a
scenario in which an ongoing call to the base station phone is
transferred to the mobile phone when the mobile phone moves to
leave the proximity zone. Operations and functions performed and
data structures utilized in an illustrative embodiment under the
scenarios depicted in FIGS. 2-5 are discussed below under FIGS.
5-13.
[0050] Turning now to FIG. 5, mobile phone 110 detects base station
112 and base station 112 detects mobile phone 110 via wireless
technologies such as Bluetooth, WiFi, etc. In the present
illustrative example, the wire line phone 112 has the base station
proximity detector 115 built into the mobile phone 110. Mobile
phone is detected as in the proximity zone 101 in event 514. Upon
occurrence of this proximity event mobile phone 110 sends a
wireless message, e.g., Simple Message Services (SMS), to SMS
Gateway 116 in event 516. In a particular embodiment, the SMS
message contains the base station telephone number. In another
particular embodiment the base station telephone number is stored
in memory and accessed by the mobile phone as needed to implement
call forwarding or conference calling.
[0051] SMS Gateway forwards the SMS message to the home location
registry (HLR) 116 in the wireless network 119. In event 518, the
HLR turns on call forwarding of the mobile phone 110 telephone
number to the wire line phone 112 telephone number. Additionally,
if a user wants a single number reach (where callers want to dial a
single number to reach a user at any of his numbers), meaning that
the calling party can reach the called party via the home phone or
mobile phone, then the wire line call forwarding will be enabled.
Base station 112 signals the SSP 114 in network to disable Call
Forwarding on the wire line phone to the mobile phone when the
mobile phone is in the proximity zone 101. Base station 112 signals
the SSP 114 to enable Call Forwarding on the wire line phone 112
when the mobile phone is outside the proximity zone 101.
[0052] Turning now to FIG. 6, at event 614 the wire less phone 110
detects loss of connectivity to base station 112 meaning that the
base station has gone down, failed or the mobile phone has moved
outside of the proximity zone 101. At event 616, the mobile phone
110 sends a SMS message to SMS Gateway 116. The SMS Gateway 116
forwards the SMS message to the home location register (HLR). The
HLR is a database that holds subscription data about every
subscriber in a mobile (i.e., cell phone) network. An HLR is a
permanent SS7 database used in cellular networks. The HLR is
located on the SCP of the cellular provider. The HLR is used to
identify subscribers and control features and services such as call
forwarding and conference calling. HLR turns off call forwarding of
the mobile phone at event 618. At event 620, if a user wants a
single number reach functionality, meaning that the calling party
can reach the user (called party) via the home phone 112 or mobile
phone 110 by dialing a single number, then the wire line call
forwarding will be enabled to call the mobile phone. Base station
signals the SSP 114 to enable Call Forwarding on the wire line
phone 112 when the mobile phone 110 is outside the proximity zone
101.
[0053] Turning now to FIG. 7, a mobile phone 110 detects base
station 112 and base station 112 detects the mobile phone 110 via
wireless technologies such as Bluetooth, WiFi, etc. Mobile phone is
inside the proximity zone 101. At event 616, the mobile phone 110
sends a SMS message to the SMS Gateway 116. The SMS Gateway 116
forwards the SMS to the HLR 116. In event 618, the HLR turns on
call forwarding of the mobile phone 110 to the wire line phone 112.
If a user wants a single number reach, meaning that the calling
party can reach the user via the home phone 112 or mobile phone
110, then the wire line call forwarding will be enabled to forward
the base station phone to the mobile phone.
[0054] The base station signals the SSP 114 to disable Call
Forwarding on the wire line phone when the mobile phone 110 is in
the proximity zone 101. Base station 112 signals the SSP 114 to
enable Call Forwarding on the wire line phone 112 when the mobile
phone 110 is outside the proximity zone 101. If the user is on a
call (ongoing call in progress) with the mobile phone, the mobile
phone user can press a pre-programmed keypad button or phone keypad
sequence on the mobile phone 110 that will signal the mobile
network to initiate a 3-way conference call with the ongoing call,
the mobile phone and wire line phone 112. This can be accomplished
by dialing the wire line phone 112 from the mobile phone 110. Once
the wire line 112 phone picks up, the mobile phone 110 can be
disconnected from the call.
[0055] Turning now to FIG. 8, in order to simplify the call flow,
it is assumed that the wire line phone 112 and the base station 112
have been integrated into one device. It is also assumed that the
wire line phones and mobile phones have conference calling (3 way
calling) enabled on them. At event 814, an ongoing call exists on
the wire line phone through the SSP. A user wants to continue the
call on their mobile phone. At event 816, a wire line phone user
can press a pre-programmed keypad sequence on the integrated base
station/wire line phone 112 that will start a 3-way conference call
with the mobile phone 110 to initiate transferring the call to the
mobile phone. The CMP 112 on the base station senses the activation
of the pre-programmed button and performs the following
functions.
[0056] The base station CMP signals the SMS Gateway to disable call
forwarding for the mobile phone, Flash hooks the wire line phone,
dials the mobile phone number and waits for the mobile phone to
answer and then the user can hang up the base station land line and
continue the ongoing call on the mobile phone. At event 822 the
base station wire line phone has conferenced the mobile phone into
the ongoing call and now the user can continue the ongoing call on
the mobile telephone. The Service Switch Point (SSP) has the
switching function of ordinary switches, and can trigger the
intelligent calls, and send the call information to the SCP. The
SCP controls the further operation, e.g., prompt of playing
announcement or receiving digits, or selecting route.
[0057] Turning now to FIG. 9, multiple base stations 115 B1 and 115
B2 can be associated with multiple mobile devices M1, M2, M3, M4,
M5, and M6 110. Each mobile device M1-M6 can be associated with
either base station B1 or base station B2 when inside base station
proximity zone 101 or when requesting association or disassociation
with a base station by entering a predetermined phone keypad
sequence. The base stations and mobile devices use the data
structure 1000 as described in FIG. 10 to store base station
identifiers, base station communication addresses (telephone
numbers), mobile device identifiers, e.g., mobile device
communication address (e.g., telephone numbers) and proximity
status to manage calls between the mobile devices and the base
stations.
[0058] Turning now to FIG. 10, an illustrative embodiment of a data
structure 1000 is illustrated. The data structure 1000 resides in
memory and includes but is not limited to a base station identifier
field 1002 for containing data indicative of a base station
identifier; a base station communication address field 1004 for
containing data indicative of a base station communication address;
a mobile device identifier field 1006 for containing data
indicative of a mobile device identifier; a mobile device
communication address 1008 for containing data indicative of a
mobile device communication address; and proximity fields 1010,
1012 for indicating a proximity state between the base station and
the mobile device. The communication address in the illustrative
embodiment is a telephone number but could also be any
communication address, such as a uniform resource locator (URL),
email address, or IP address, etc.
[0059] Turning now to FIG. 11 is a flowchart depicting the sensing
of a proximity event at the base station proximity sensor at 1102.
If the proximity event equals a mobile device entering into the
proximity zone then the base station phone number is sent to the
mobile device and mobile device phone number is sent to the base
station at 1104. If the call in progress is on a mobile device,
then a conference call signal is sent from the mobile device to a
mobile telephone network to call the base station phone number for
a conference call for the call in progress to be picked up on the
base station phone device at 1106. If a call is not in progress the
mobile phone sends a call forwarding signal from the mobile device
to the mobile telephone network to forward calls made to the mobile
device to be received at the base station device at 1108.
[0060] Turning now to FIG. 12 is a flowchart depicting call
management functions performed for the mobile device leaving the
proximity zone. If the proximity event equals a mobile device
leaving proximity zone at 1202 then the method proceeds to 1204. If
a call is in progress on the base station device, then the
conference call signal and mobile device phone number is sent from
the base station device to the "conference" (add into the call) the
mobile device into the call in progress at 1204. If the call is not
in progress, a cancel call forwarding signal is sent from the
mobile device to the mobile device network at 1206.
[0061] Turning now to FIG. 13 is a flowchart depicting the
proximity event equaling a push button (keypad sequence) requesting
a conference call. If the proximity event equals a phone keypad
sequence or button at 1302 then the method continues on to 1304. If
the mobile device is outside the proximity zone at 1304 then the
method continues on to 1306. If the mobile device is inside the
proximity zone at 1306 the sequence ends at 1112.
[0062] Turning now to FIG. 14 the computer system 1400 may include
a processor 1402 (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics
processing unit (GPU), or both), a main memory 1404 and a static
memory 1406, which communicate with each other via a bus 1408. The
computer system 1400 may further include a video display unit 1410
(e.g., liquid crystals display (LCD), a flat panel, a solid state
display, or a cathode ray tube (CRT)). The computer system 1400 may
include an input device 1412 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor control
device 1414 (e.g., a mouse), a disk drive unit 1416, a signal
generation device 1418 (e.g., a speaker or remote control) and a
network interface device 1420.
[0063] The disk drive unit 1416 may include a machine-readable
medium 1422 on which is stored one or more sets of instructions
(e.g., software 1424) embodying any one or more of the
methodologies or functions described herein, including those
methods illustrated in herein above. The instructions 1424 may also
reside, completely or at least partially, within the main memory
1404, the static memory 1406, and/or within the processor 1402
during execution thereof by the computer system 1400. The main
memory 1404 and the processor 1402 also may constitute
machine-readable media. Dedicated hardware implementations
including, but not limited to, application specific integrated
circuits, programmable logic arrays and other hardware devices can
likewise be constructed to implement the methods described herein.
Applications that may include the apparatus and systems of various
embodiments broadly include a variety of electronic and computer
systems. Some embodiments implement functions in two or more
specific interconnected hardware modules or devices with related
control and data signals communicated between and through the
modules, or as portions of an application-specific integrated
circuit. Thus, the example system is applicable to software,
firmware, and hardware implementations.
[0064] In accordance with various embodiments of the illustrative
embodiment, the methods described herein are intended for operation
as software programs running on a computer processor. Furthermore,
software implementations can include, but not limited to,
distributed processing or component/object distributed processing,
parallel processing, or virtual machine processing can also be
constructed to implement the methods described herein.
[0065] The illustrative embodiment contemplates a machine readable
medium containing instructions 1424, or that which receives and
executes instructions 1424 from a propagated signal so that a
device connected to a network environment 1426 can send or receive
voice, video or data, and to communicate over the network 1426
using the instructions 1424. The instructions 1424 may further be
transmitted or received over a network 1426 via the network
interface device 1420.
[0066] While the machine-readable medium 1422 is shown in an
example embodiment to be a single medium, the term
"machine-readable medium" should be taken to include a single
medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed
database, and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one
or more sets of instructions. The term "machine-readable medium"
shall also be taken to include any medium that is capable of
storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution
by the machine and that cause the machine to perform any one or
more of the methodologies of the illustrative embodiment. The term
"machine-readable medium" shall accordingly be taken to include,
but not be limited to: solid-state memories such as a memory card
or other package that houses one or more read-only (non-volatile)
memories, random access memories, or other re-writable (volatile)
memories; magneto-optical or optical medium such as a disk or tape;
and carrier wave signals such as a signal embodying computer
instructions in a transmission medium; and/or a digital file
attachment to e-mail or other self-contained information archive or
set of archives is considered a distribution medium equivalent to a
tangible storage medium. Accordingly, the illustrative embodiment
is considered to include any one or more of a machine-readable
medium or a distribution medium, as listed herein and including
art-recognized equivalents and successor media, in which the
software implementations herein are stored.
[0067] Although the present specification describes components and
functions implemented in the embodiments with reference to
particular standards and protocols, the illustrative embodiment is
not limited to such standards and protocols. Each of the standards
for Internet and other packet switched network transmission (e.g.,
TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, and HTTP) represent examples of the state of
the art. Such standards are periodically superseded by faster or
more efficient equivalents having essentially the same functions.
Accordingly, replacement standards and protocols having the same
functions are considered equivalents.
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